"Words of mine cannot pay adequate tribute to the skill and courage of the air crews; the unending task of the ground crews, and the loyalty and devotion of all concerned with these missions. I view this record with a pride that is shared by all who know of you now, and one that will be subsequently lauded by the entire nation. The first hundred have moulded each group into a trim and efficient fighting unit fully capable of the great task remaining before final victory is achieved. It is my sincerest hope that we are still all together, fighting together when that memorable day arrives." --John K. Gerhart, Brigadier General, U.S.A., Commanding

"To the 14,000,000 men and women who have served or are serving in the armed forces of the United States, USO means a billion "touches of home"--an infinite variety of personal services ranging from the routine provision of writing paper to the convalescent care provided by USO hostesses specially trained to help wounded veterans readjust to civilian life. Taking stock of these services on its fifth anniversary, USO finds that at its peak of activity, it was serving 1,000,000 people a day in one capacity or another, running up to more than 1,100,000,000 the total served since the organization started, February 4, 1941." author unknown

Foreword: This is the story of the 7th Convalescent Hospital, United States Army, Medical Department. It is the story of a group of men who were assembled to rehabilitate soldier casualties both physically and mentally: the story of doctors, dentists, farmers, business men, clerks, salesmen, cooks, truck drivers, soda dispensers, students, and laborers who became the professional staff, technicians, clerks, carpenters, cooks, drivers, and electricians. The combined efforts of all these individuals made possible the accomplishment of our mission. It was all in the "T/O and T/E", but no one had ever seen such a unit in operation – there was doubt as to whether this unit could ever become a practical, working part of the forces in the field. But the 7th not only accomplished its mission, it can take credit for being an outstanding leader in its field; a unit that was not only a success in the eyes of the army but also – and what is more important--in the eyes of its patients. Success, in large measure, is the result of the efforts that are put into the job. This is where the men of the 7th excelled. When the chips were down, they could pitch in as a team and accomplish miracles. This was amply proven in England, France, and Germany. A common statement among soldiers is, "When I get out of the Army, I am going to forget everything about it." In its true light, this remark is merely a reaction to the man's present plight. He is tired of Army life. He wants to get home. Take a peek into the future and you will probably find this same man telling his Army experiences to his co-workers, relatives, and friends. To the story teller, this book can be a restraining influence against exaggeration. But to most of us this book will be a record of all the little things we might forget--and want to remember-as the years go by; such facts as the names of the men, interesting experiences, and amusing incidents. We have traveled through many lands; we have observed destruction and suffering; we have experienced discomfort, fatigue, disillusionment, and uncertainty; we have known friendliness and hatred. Exposed to these constant emotional strains, we have changed during our Army career. How much? Well, we shall discover that when we have returned to civilian life. At that time we may wonder what altered our way of thinking. The probability is that we shall find the answer within the covers of this book. This book was conceived and written by a group of your own buddies as a souvenir containing many of the memories of the 7th Convalescent Hospital. An Ernie Pyle could have done a better job of recording these incidents, with a finer touch of human interest; however, the book, you will find, has that quality of warmth which comes naturally from the pen of one who has experienced the happenings he describes. It was written during odd moments, often under hectic and unfavorable conditions, of the stay of the 7th in the European Theater of Operations. It is hoped that many hours of pleasant reading and many years of happy reminiscing will result from our efforts. For now and for always--the good luck of the "Lucky Seventh" is extended to you.

Opening paragraphs: "In the spring of 1942 the Japanese were successfully over-running the Pacific, and their tentacles were reaching down to touch the Australian mainland with the threat of invasion. Their eyes were on the strategic base of Port Moresby, and the pitiful Allied forces charged with stemming this tide were in the unenviable position of defending Moresby against attacks by land, sea, and air So in April 1942 the Grim Reapers received their baptism of fire and jungle, something that all of them had hoped for and feared since their designation to overseas duty. Powerful Japanese bases were springing up on the east New Guinea coast. Enemy ships plied the once peaceful seas among the southern archipelagos, transporting men and equipment with impunity to the swelling Japanese camps on the beaches of New Guinea. All knew that the time was at hand when the enemy must be stopped or supreme sacrifices made. Credit: Produced in New Guinea by Lt. Col. Charles P. Martin, Capt. Frederick L. Newmeyer, Jr., Capt. Edward Mandell and T/Sgt. Harold A. Larsen. Grateful appreciation to Col. Richard· H. Ellis for his sponsorship, to Capt. Robert Spieth and Group Photography for outstanding camera work, to the late Lt. Kenneth W. Lindsay, to Sgt. Peter Catizone, Cpl. Frank G. Farina and Cpl. George H. Dernoeden for their excellent art work and cartooning and to Maj. Ivan P. Head for his combat information.

Germany, 20 July 1945: To the Officers and Men of the fighting 69th Infantry Division: Recorded on these pages is a review of the accomplishments of this Division, of its preparation to fight and its fight against Germany. It is not a complete picture--many small pictures are missing. They are not forgotten, and as you leaf through these pages they will be recalled to your memory. You have smoothly and efficiently carried out every assigned mission from the day this Division entered the line until V-E Day. Your high esprit and your fighting spirit lived up to every expectation. I extend to you, the Officers and enlisted men of the Fighting 69th Infantry Division my most sincere congratulations and praise for the job well done. Sincerely, E.F. Reinhardt, Major General U.S. Army, Commanding

On February 10, 1941, the 46th Field Artillery Brigade (G.H.Q.) came into being as a military unit under the command of Colonel George H. Paine. This apparently simple statement covers much, as this was the first time in the Military History of the United States that a unit as large as a Brigade was formed completely of Colored Troops.

Published as an unofficial history of the Group's activities from activation to completion of 258 Combat Missions in the European Theatre of Operations, through the courtesy of the Officers' Club, whose Board of Governors made available funds to apply against publication costs on copies for distribution to members of the 447th Group who were on its rosters as of the dates of departure from the E. T. 0. for the Z. of I. This pictorial, and unofficial, history of the 447th Bombardment Group is not as complete as its editors would have liked it to be, due to the fact that the work of preparing and assembling it had to be done by the very limited staff on hand at Drew Field, Florida, whose primary task was the job of deactivating the Group. So it was prepared amid considerable confusion by the short handed staff and using as much of the material as could be found among the Group and Squadron records. The editors have used every possible photo whether of personnel, combat crews, ground crews, social activities, etc. that could be found. Without doubt, many other photos exist, but these were not on hand at the time the history was prepared. -The Editors [Captains Surridge and Dooley]

The 367th Infantry Regiment was first formed at Camp Upton, New York, in 1917 as a 92nd Division unit under the command of the late Colonel James A. Moss, a distinguished son of Lafayette, Louisiana, and one of the United States' outstanding army officers.

Foreword: Based on the premise that one picture is worth a thousand words, the photographs of this Iittle volume will tell a long, long story. That story will prove a fertile field for research and for study in military transportation. These are pictures of operations--they depict the highlights of the greatest transportation mission of all time. Back of these photographs is the monotony, sweat, toil and death of War. A study of these photographs will aid TC units in other theaters. They will reveal the ingenuity, the skill, the ability to create and improvise which characterized the TC soldier in the ETO as he met and conquered his problems one after another. They will offer and suggest new ideas, assist future training and shape programs of instruction ... and, too, they will record permanently the achievements of the TC in the ETO.

Our Battalion, the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion, was activated on July 1, 1940. In those days, it was known as the 99th Infantry Battalion (Anti Tank). We were stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington; not too far from Tacoma and Olympia, Washington, right on Highway 99. Under the command of Lt. Col. Ransom, plus a cadre of old army men from the 15th Infantry Regiment to help train us, we began our not too happy struggle changing ourselves from care free civilians into soldiers.

To the People of the United States Just seven years ago, (on February 4, 1941), the USO was incorporated "to aid in the war and defense program of the United States and its allies by serving the religious, spiritual welfare and educational needs of the men and women in the armed forces and defense industries, and in general to contribute to the maintenance of morale in American communities.' Growing out of the human concern and patriotic desire of its member agencies to render a united though separately distinctive service in a great national emergency, the USO became both a symbol of a nation's care for its sons and daughters in uniform and a principal channel for an unprecedented civilian participation in a total war effort. In seven years the USO has exercised a fiduciary trusteeship involving $236,000,000 voluntarily and gladly contributed by countless individuals in every county, town and hamlet in the United States and thousands of men in uniform stationed throughout the world. This money has been translated into a billion and a half recorded services--and millions more never tallied. While the end of the war has not brought with it the end of an emergency for any nation; and while the times are still rife with human peril and human need, still the USO has discharged its mission, fulfilled its original purpose and ended its task. An official and complete history of USO has already been written and, together with pertinent documents and significant records, it will be filed permanently in the Library of Congress. The drama of the enterprise has been recorded in the book by Julia Carson, "Home Away From Home.' It is now appropriate to render a simple but complete factual accounting to our contributing and participating public. That is the purpose of this report. January 9, 1948 L.F. Kimball, President, United Service Organizations, Inc.

Preface This is the history of our record as Artillerymen in the 230th Field Artillery Battalion. In its pages we will march together again as comrades-in-arms, with quiet pride in the job we have done, and with the hope that Saint Barbara, the patron of all artillerymen, will look upon our record and find it worthy of the Field Artillery tradition. It would be ideal if each of us were mentioned by name in this history. But this is the story of our Battalion, and we were and are the Battalion. There was a story to tell; and it had to march along without too much regard for the individual and what he had done. You will find yourself in these pages, because you were there, or you had a friend who was there. You know what the situation was--this may keep your memories fresh. We were "CROW"--and our black wings covered a continent. When peace comes, the rustle of wings of a crow will remind us again of what we did.

You're probably wondering what we did in the war to rate all of campaign stars, and other decorations we've received. Well read what we did and decide for yourself. To begin with, the old 227th, got its name on 20th January 1943 down at hot and cold Fort Bliss, Texas.

"Men who go to war live strongly during every day of their anxiety and peril. What they experience both in joy and in sorrow strikes deep roots into their hearts and minds. War makes memories. Following the collapse of Germany and the ultimate surrender of Japan, members of our Battalion began to think back over the war and the part they played therein. The mental and physical release brought on by peace helped them to recall the many and varied incidents that typified their military days. They found themselves trying to remember in the proper sequence where they had been and the outstanding events connected with each location. Some saved snapshots while others compiled itineraries. In each effort the theme was the same: to make a milestone in their memory of the events they would want to remember and relate when they returned home. The natural outgrowth of all these individual endeavors was the compilation of this Battalion History. Once conceived the idea of a beautiful and permanent record required hard work and skillful leadership. Special acknowledgement should be given the following members of our Battalion who made major contributions toward the successful publication of this volume: Edward Harris, James De Vita, Anthony Cocco, Daniel Botkiss, William Ross, Joseph Schimmler, Donald Leach, Bob Becker, Donald Walden and Leslie Williamson. To these and the many others who also helped I offer the official thanks of the Battalion. May this book be a cherished possession of every member of the 795th AAA A W BN, that it foster and preserve many happy memories of our collective achievement in a great and victorious conflict." John D. Betley, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army

The 20th Armored Division cannot point to a long record of heroic slugging or dashing achievement on many of the battle fields of World War II, it made its weight felt by serving for two years as a replacement training division, properly climaxed by active participation as a unit in the final drive in the defeat of Germany. The 20th did not write a great deal of combat history, yet it joined valiantly in the knockout punch against a desperate Nazism, throwing its infamous legions back to and breaking them at its citadel, the National Redoubt in the Alps. No, the 20th did not have a long history of battles and campaigns like so many other units; it wrote only a few paragraphs in the total book but it does know how history was written, and it was there to see the dramatic moments, causes and effects that will write the history of the future.

The combined histories of the units of the 43rd reads like a roll of honor of history of America, and the battle streamers amassed by these units reveal the farflung engagements in which men of the New England States have been called upon to defend their country's interests. The 43rd was allocated to the States of Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and in each of the four states units were organized and federally recognized.

" ... A regiment, which, while it may have no proud record of battles won and honors gained, yet has a spirit and a soul, which, if occasion should ever arise, would show itself true to those high ideals of service for which our executive has always stood." Thus was the 391st Infantry of the organized reserves described by Colonel Thomas H. Remington of Rochester, New York, at a farewell dinner in honor of Major Lester Baker, then War Department executive for the regiment, on 31 July 1926. And the "occasion" appears to be not far off, for the 391st Infantry was activated for combat duty at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky, 15 September 1942, as a part of the 98th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Paul L. Ransom. And, as General Ransom presented the regiment's colors to the 391st Infantry's Commanding Officer, Colonel Head, on that brisk September morning, indications were that the "best reserve infantry regiment in the United States Army" would now become one of the best regular units.

When the history of the Ardennes fighting has been written, it will be recorded as one of the great strategic Allied successes of the war in Europe. Tactically, for the 106th and the other American divisions involved, it was a bitter and costly fight. But it becomes increasingly clear that the Germans expended in that last futile effort those last reserves of men and material which they needed so badly a few months later. The losses and sacrifices of the 106th Infantry Division paid great dividends in eventual victory. These pages are dedicated to those gallant men who refused to quit in the darkest hour of the Allied invasion, and whose fortitude and heroism turned the tide toward overwhelming victory. --Donald Armpriester Stroh, Major General, Commanding

Introduction: "To the men of the 91st Cml Mortar Bn this book is more than a unit history; it is an autobiography--a rather personal sort of affair. It was written more in deeds than in words by the men who make up this separate battalion, which is, at best, an infinitesimally small part of the present day strength of the United States Armies. Since a unit is a collection of individuals, like an individual, it gradually assumes a character and a personality which distinguishes it in particular from other units. The object in compiling thls book is to preserve the character of the Battalion, our Battalion, by recording for future nostalgia some of the memories that the men like most to recall when they engage in a typical "bull session." The body of the text is essentially a condensation of the units's official history together with humorous incidents, anecdotes, and human interest stories, all unexpurgated within bounds and representative of many thousands of war stories that might have been told about Army life in garrison and in combat overseas. The personal episodes are related as nearly as possible in chronological order parallel to the historical data that best provides a comprehensive background for the stories themselves. No attempt has been made to describe in detail the geography of that section of Europe over which the Battalion traveled and fought, nor to pass judgement on the character and integrity of the people who live there. The reasons for having placed this limitation on the scope of this work will be obvious to those who have ever come in contact with people who have had their countries and homes turned into battle fields. The political and social reverberations which will undoubtedly be brought about as a result of this latest of World Wars have been left to future historians to record."

The 54th Transport Squadron predecessor of the present 54th Troop Carrier Squadron was activated at Hamilton Field, California on 1 June 1942. Original unit commander was Captain William G. Harley, 0165088. Staff Sergeant Paul M. Pugh, 6894048, was acting First Sergeant. Private Arthur W. Yess, 33091246, was the third member of the original organization.

From the Introduction, written by Colonel Harold B. McClune: "The design of this book's compilers is to present a panoramic view of the 376th Infantry from its birth in September 1921 to the capitulation of the Japanese Empire in August 1945; a panorama of battle experiences that have demonstrated our superiority over the enemy that confronted us, and proved the mettle of our civilian Army. While this is the story of an infantry regiment, we do not fail to appreciate the contributions modern technical science, designer of our weapons, our armor and aircraft support, and our means of protecting against weapons, has made for the success of our infantry. The weapons and equipment which have proved so deadly in the hands of this war's foot-soldiers are the best that any army ever had. In view of these new developments, the infantryman who, until recently did most of his fighting with a rifle, has become a specialist, and his training must be more thorough than that of any other branch of the army. It must begin with knowledge, gleaned first from the books and regulations; but it must stop short of depending on ready-made ideas: Much had to be learned from other battles, and from brothers-in-arms who learned the hard way. These principles are sound. The leaders and the men alike have proved them in the way they adapted themselves and applied the technique learned in the shock of battle when flesh and blood were the price exacted. An attempt has here been made to tell the story of how the Regiment fought--the story of its battles, and the story of its individual acts of courage in the face of the enemy. Much is said of the weather and the land we fought in, but words are inadequate here. Frozen feet, hunger, loss of sleep, constant exposure to enemy fire, and the shock of seeing a buddy killed or wounded cannot be described. They must be lived. It is the purpose of this volume to tell that story--as much of it as can be told in words--simply, without exaggeration. This history needs no embellishments. It is hoped this work may be of use to future military historians searching for details not to be found in official War Department records. But primarily it is intended for the officers and men who have served, and are serving with the 376th Infantry Regiment. For all of us who wish to keep alive our rich experience with this noble organization, this book will serve to renew our memories and discipline our imaginations."

Introduction This an informal story of the travels and battles of an infantry regiment in World War II. Like most stories of war, it is difficult to tell, for it is about groups-- squads, platoons, companies, battalions--while the real story of war, to every soldier who fought, is the story of the part HE played in it. But to tell the full story of any one soldier in this war, to tell of the grimness and the humor, the nausea and the dignity, the terror and the heroism which marked his fighting days would fill this whole book and many more. Even in this simple story of a single regiment we can only outline the major facts of endless battle. For greater detail we refer you to the men for whom this book was written, the men of the 157th Infantry. To the best of our knowledge, the facts in this book are accurate. Yet remember, the actions spoken of are not the calm, deliberate movements of history in its normal stride, but the frenzied, semi-chaos of men killing each other. No reporters stood by while these killings took place and the men present were too busy with the killing to note, at all times, which squad went where. So while we may place you at the bottom of a hill at a time when you know full well your squad was at the top of the hill, hear with us, for in the main you'll find us accurate. Cover reads: Eager For Duty--motto of the regiment

Dedication This book is dedicated to those members of our command who gave their full measure that the cause of humanity might be preserved. May we heap high upon the altar of faith the flaming desire that will envelope ·and destroy all forces tending to incarcerate the freedoms of mankind. Let us, who live, devote our lives to substantiate this faith for which they made the supreme sacrifice. It is with reverence that their names are here listed.

The Special Troops of the 102d Infantry Division were activated at Camp Maxey, Texas, 16 August 1943, in compliance with a revised table of organization, (7-3) which consolidated the service companies of the Division; Headquarters and Headquarters Company with the Military Police Platoon and the Division Band Attached, the 802d Ordnance (LM) Company, the 102d Signal Company and the 102d Quartermaster Company; under one tactical command of 52 Officers, 7 Warrant Officers and 904 Enlisted Men.